Quite often I find myself faced with the opportunity to bet with my spouse that I am right about something and she is wrong. However, mostly I do not because I can’t think of what the winner will get as a prize for victory, or what the loser might be subjected to in the face of defeat. But as it happens we are currently trying to bring our home up to date, and make it sparkle like new. So, this means flipping our Sealy mattresses, replacing discoloured rugs, waxing floors, eliminating cobwebs, touching up indoor paint, and finally putting something in that extra bedroom.

I of course do not want to evade my contribution in this process, but am particularly fond of certain tasks, and abhorrent of others. Thus, when the wifey disagreed with me about the time that our local market opened, and I was absolutely confident that I was right I pounced at my chance to lay down a bet. Basically, what I wanted was to be able to handle the purchases for, and the set up of the extra bedroom. After all I am the Cool Home Shop guy, so I ask you who better for the job? But, she makes a good point that it is the more enjoyable of the long list of tasks to be completed. Thus, I was unwilling to appear unsympathetic, or unjust by opting out of what I deem to be the house cleaning, and horrible busy work, unless there was another way to escape it. The bet was my answer, my salvation if she would only be willing to take the bait and stand behind her claim. Honestly, there was really no doubt that she would because she is not only highly competitive, but sounded so sure in her belief that the store opened its doors at 8 am. And why shouldn’t she be, considering she does the majority of the trips to the grocery. It was like a golden ticket, and I was grabbing it.

Turns out, she did in fact take that bait hook, line, and sinker as they say. The outcome was that I was exempt from window washing, shower descaling and grouting and a lot of other yucky chores. What I got was the ability to design a guestroom all by myself. My choice of Silentnight Oberon Mattress, Chicago black leather bed, and matching check print recliner all were accepted without a peep. The only thing that was controverted were the window treatments I selected, and that was fair enough considering we already had some in the attic, that though basically uninspired work just fine in the space. Now I can clearly see the appeal of gambling.